Rog’s Blog: Dodgy Decisions #5

In a stroke competition, a player’s ball comes to rest in a bunker and she declares it unplayable.

The player takes relief (under penalty) by dropping outside of the bunker on the extension of the line between the flagstick and the point where the ball came to rest, and plays the ball onto the green.

 

We know that this player has proceeded in contravention of Rule 28b which requires that for relief to be taken in this way, the ball must be dropped in, and played from, the bunker.

 

It is clear from the Rule that the player has incurred a penalty of two strokes.

However, examination of Decision 28/10 reveals the following:
 

Ball Dropped Outside Bunker Under Option Requiring Drop in Bunker
 

Q. In stroke play, a competitor deems his ball unplayable in a bunker and, purporting to proceed under Rule 28b or 28c, drops a ball outside the bunker and plays it. What is the ruling?
 

A. In this case, Rules 28b and 28c require that a ball be dropped in and played from the bunker. Generally, if the ball is played from outside the bunker, the penalty should be disqualification for a serious breach of Rule 28, ...
 

This is a decidedly dodgy decision as there is, of course, no such provision within Rule 28.
 

This player would be on a rock solid foundation to object to a penalty of disqualification being applied.